$2.5b sweetener for three waters reform

Local government leadership has broadly endorsed the approach to three waters reform. (Image: Deposit Photos)

Thu, 15 Jul 2021

The government has unveiled a $2.5 billion package of relief aimed at getting local government agreement to a radical amalgamation of drinking, waste and storm water services in a move immediately labelled a bribe by National party leader Judith Collins.The biggest holdout against the reforms and the country’s largest city, Auckland, is by far the largest beneficiary of the package, becoming eligible for just over half a billion dollars ($508.6 million).The package was announced at a packed Local Government New Zealand annual conference i...

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Politics

Govt reshuffle: Lee demoted, Simmonds loses portfolio

Melissa Lee has been stripped of her media and communications portfolio and dropped from the cabinet, prime minister Christopher Luxon announced today.He has given Paul Goldsmith the portfolio after Lee was widely criticised over her public handling of the numerous issues facing...

Staff reporters 1:20pm

Economy